Oppenheimer Blue Diamond

Oppenheimer Blue Diamond

Christie’s is set to auction off yet another stunning blue diamond – the Oppenheimer Blue diamond, the largest fancy vivid blue diamond ever available at auction.

Weighing a whopping 14.62 carats, this rare, emerald-cut blue diamond is named for a previous owner – Sir Phillip Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer was a member of the family that controlled De Beers for many many years, and as François Curiel, chairman of Christie’s Asia Pacific and China, said in a statement:

“The Oppenheimers have been leaders in the diamond industry for generations, and Sir Philip could have had any diamond he wanted. But he chose this one, with its perfect hue, impeccable proportions, and fabulous rectangular shape.”

The stone will go on auction on May 18th in Geneva, Switzerland and is expected to fetch up to $58 million Canadian.

Image Credit: Christie’s

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) graded the stone and gave it the very rare Fancy Vivid colour grade. For reference, the Oppenheimer Blue is bigger than the Blue Moon of Josephine, a 12.03 carat cushion cut diamond that set the world record for any diamond sold at auction last year. However, the Blue Moon had a higher clarity grade (internally flawless) than the Oppenheimer Blue does, which only has VVS1 clarity.